"Although Black Wind Stronghold is a den of tigers and wolves, as long as I'm still alive, I'll bring every one of you back!"
Master Huang spoke again.
"This is a dangerous undertaking. Anyone willing to go can receive three hundred taels in reward!"
Zhou Wen suddenly spoke up as well.
"My lord, you mustn't! We've already received the Zhou Family's kindness. How could we be so ungrateful?"
"We're willing to go through fire and water for the Zhou Family!"
Everyone immediately voiced their willingness to go.
With Master Huang, a Transformation Realm expert, leading them, they wouldn't necessarily be in any real danger as long as they were careful.
"Martial arts aren't just about hard training and practice. You also need real combat to build your courage. I'm going!"
Wang Chao said without hesitation.
"Exactly. Without the tempering of bloodshed, you can never become a true martial arts powerhouse!"
Chen Zheng nodded.
Besides them, the three older Hidden Energy experts—Sun Hui, Li Ping, and Wu Hai—as well as Zheng Zhiping, Ma Rupeng, and Tian Tao, who had broken through just a few days ago, all declared that they were willing to risk a trip to Black Cloud Stronghold.
"How much time do we have to prepare?"
Cao Yang suddenly asked.
"How much time do you need?"
Zhou Wen pondered briefly before asking in return.
"Just three days!"
Cao Yang said with a confident smile. "By then, we'll have two Transformation Realm experts!"
"What... did I hear him wrong? Is he saying he can break into the Transformation Realm within three days?"
At Cao Yang's words, everyone froze in place, staring at him in disbelief.
It was true that he had exceptional natural talent, a genuine first-rate genius, and the Zhou Family had spared no expense in showering him with resources. But surely he couldn't break through to the Transformation Realm in a mere three days?
"How sure are you?"
Master Huang looked at Cao Yang in astonishment and asked.
"Completely sure!"
Cao Yang replied with absolute certainty.
"Good. Then we'll wait three days!"
Zhou Wen nodded, a hint of delight in his eyes.
He only needed to send someone to negotiate with Black Cloud Stronghold and buy them some time. Three days shouldn't be a problem.
With two Transformation Realm experts in action, there would surely be a much better chance of rescuing his second brother.
"Master Huang, Cao Yang, whichever of you manages to rescue my second brother will receive not only five hundred taels in reward, but also a Century-Old Blood Ginseng from the Zhou Family's collection, kept for many years, as a token of my gratitude!"
Zhou Wen looked at Master Huang and Cao Yang, his expression solemn.
At these words, both Master Huang and Cao Yang couldn't help but reveal a fervent gleam in their eyes.
A Century-Old Blood Ginseng—now that was a true Treasured Medicine!
Even on the black market, it was priceless and impossible to come by. If one did appear, it would take at least three or five thousand taels to secure it.
This Century-Old Blood Ginseng could nourish the body and stimulate the production of qi and blood. It could also repair one's foundation and even unlock one's potential. Its medicinal power was astonishing.
Treasured Medicines were so precious and hard to find not only because their medicinal effects were potent, but also because they were exceedingly rare.
True Treasured Medicines were natural treasures nurtured by heaven and earth. They were found almost exclusively in remote, perilous mountains, and might even be guarded by exotic beasts more ferocious than ordinary tigers and leopards. Even a Transformation Realm expert might not be able to contend with them.
Even if some bold herb gatherers were willing to risk venturing into the mountains, and were lucky enough to find a Treasured Medicine, the most likely outcome was still that they had traveled a thousand miles only to become a feast for some exotic beast.
In that sense, every Treasured Medicine that came to light was stained with the blood of countless herb gatherers.
In short, both Master Huang and Cao Yang were determined to claim this Century-Old Blood Ginseng.
Without the Century-Old Blood Ginseng, even if they went to Black Cloud Stronghold, they might only try to rescue the Zhou Family's second master, Zhou Wu, while ensuring their own safety. They wouldn't risk their lives lightly.
But now, with the Century-Old Blood Ginseng as an incentive, they would surely give it everything they had. Even if there were only the faintest glimmer of hope, they would risk their lives to bring Zhou Wu back.
Seeking gain and avoiding harm was only human nature.
Zhou Wen was willing to offer the Century-Old Blood Ginseng precisely because he understood this.
"What a pity we can't break through to the Transformation Realm in three days!"
Wang Chao, Chen Zheng, and the others couldn't help shaking their heads with a sigh.
They wanted the Century-Old Blood Ginseng too, but they had no chance of competing with Master Huang, who was already in the Transformation Realm, or Cao Yang, who was about to break through.
"Why couldn't I at least be in the Hidden Energy Realm?"
Zhang Feng and those who had only reached the Bright Energy Realm were even more frustrated.
The Century-Old Blood Ginseng was one thing, but they couldn't even get the three hundred taels in reward.
"Century-Old Blood Ginseng!"
Lu Yuan's eyes stirred slightly.
If it were only five hundred taels in reward, he might not have risked competing for it.
But for this Century-Old Blood Ginseng, he had no choice but to try.
If he could get his hands on the Century-Old Blood Ginseng and find a better internal cultivation technique, he might yet manage to enter the ranks of martial artists before the Martial Examination began.
Although Lu Yuan couldn't break into the Transformation Realm within three days, he could bring his Gale Steps to perfection in that time.
With Gale Steps perfected, qi and blood far more abundant and vigorous than those of an ordinary Hidden Energy expert, and the Wind-Breaking Blade Technique and Flick Finger Technique both perfected as well, he was more than capable of protecting himself. He also had a very good chance of rescuing the Zhou Family's second master.
Still, to be on the safe side, besides bringing plenty of iron pellets, he needed to get something better too, in case of emergencies.
Over the next three days, aside from continuing to practice the Five Animals Fist three times a day, Lu Yuan spent most of his time training in Gale Steps.
[Gale Steps perfected (not limit-broken: 1%)]
At last, before nightfall, Lu Yuan successfully brought Gale Steps to perfection as well.
From then on, aside from continuing to practice the Five Animals Fist and nurture and temper his qi and blood, he could devote nearly all his remaining time and energy to the Blazing Sun Sword Technique.
After drinking a serving each of Essence-Replenishing Soup and Qi-Replenishing Soup, Lu Yuan didn't train any further and turned in early.
He rested up, ready for the trip to Black Cloud Stronghold the next day.
Lu Yuan had already prepared everything he needed.
Although he still hadn't broken into the Transformation Realm, his many trump cards gave him enough confidence to face a true Transformation Realm expert.
With an unexpected move, he might even be able to defeat a Transformation Realm powerhouse despite the gap between them.
Of course, his goal tomorrow wasn't actually to kill a Transformation Realm expert, but to rescue the Zhou Family's second master and get his hands on the Century-Old Blood Ginseng.
The next morning.
The eastern sky had only just begun to pale when the group raced out of the city.
There were eleven of them in all. Besides Master Huang, a powerful Transformation Realm expert, there was also Cao Yang, who had just broken through to the Transformation Realm.
The other nine, including Lu Yuan, Wang Chao, and Chen Zheng, were all Hidden Energy experts.
One had to understand that even a Hidden Energy expert was already a genuine master in Qinghe County.
With nine Hidden Energy experts and two powerful Transformation Realm experts leading them, this was a party that could go just about anywhere.
But their destination was Black Cloud Stronghold, a lair of tigers and wolves, so it was only natural for unease to creep into their hearts.
"Everyone, stay close behind Cao Yang and me. Remember, do not split up!"
When they reached the foot of the mountain where Black Cloud Stronghold stood, Master Huang addressed them briefly, then charged up the mountain at tremendous speed.
The others didn't hesitate either and followed close behind.
Before you continue